PA says trying to send medicine to Gaza

RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- The Palestinian Authority is trying to get medicine into hospitals in the Gaza Strip, the ministry of health said Thursday.

Minister Hani Abdeen has been instructed by President Mahmoud Abbas to transfer 20 trucks of medical supplies, the ministry said in a statement.

The minister has been in contact with Palestinian representative in Egypt Barakat al-Farra to send medicine to Gaza, and has asked the Humanitarian Relief Committee of the Arab Doctors Federation to assist.

Abdeen is also in contact with international, regional and local health organizations including the World Health Organization and the Red Cross to support hospitals in the Gaza Strip.

Israel has killed 13 Palestinians and injured over 100 in a military onslaught on the Gaza Strip that began Wednesday evening.

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights says 115 civilians, including 26 children and 25 women, have been wounded in less than 24 hours. Many of these were wounded in their homes, PCHR said in a statement.

Hospitals in Egypt 'ready'

Egyptian hospitals are ready to receive Palestinians wounded in Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip, an Egyptian official said.

Tareq Khater, undersecretary of the health ministry in North Sinai, said medical teams were prepared in hospitals in al-Arish, Rafah, Sheikh Zuweid and Bir al-Abd for patients from Gaza.